The 25th annual Cubs Convention winds down Sunday at the Chicago Hilton & Towers after a wild weekend of ranting, raving and Ricketts-watching.
Here are 10 things we discovered at the kickoff event of the 2010 season:
Clubhouse changes in store
The Wrigley Field clubhouses are tiny compared to most teams because the layout of Wrigley Field makes it difficult to renovate. Owner Laura Ricketts said the “state of the clubhouse was shocking to me.”
Some changes will be made immediately. Todd Ricketts announced the team would renovate the clubhouse kitchen and bring in a nutritionist to “help plan some meals for the players so they’re getting the right nutrition that they need.”
As reported recently, the team’s weight room will become a player lounge, the old umpires’ room will become the new weight room, and the new umpires’ room will be on the visitors’ side. “Right now it’s a bit of a shell game,” Todd said. “But we’re trying to make things better, and I think over the long haul we’ll see some real improvements.”
Ghosts of DeRosa/Bradley remain
Jim Hendry has apologized so many times now for trading Mark DeRosa and signing Milton Bradley he’s threatening to have his name placed in the Guinness Book of World records for most mea culpas in one lifetime.
“I certainly was the one that did the majority of the work and the background and the offensive numbers before we signed Milton,” he said. “Obviously it was a shoot for the moon (decision)…Obviously it didn’t work out. It was totally my responsibility. It was a mistake in hindsight. I think we’ve rectified the mistake.”
At one point, WGN radio host Bob Sirott implored fans to stop harping on the failed Bradley experiment. “Milton Bradley is gone,” he said. “Let it go.”
As for why the Cubs didn’t re-sign DeRosa as a free agent, Hendry said they felt his days as a second baseman were over, pointing out that his new team, San Francisco, is using him in left field.
Cubs are all ears
The addition of a “Chief Hospitality Officer” by the Ricketts was an indication the organization will listen most intently to fan complaints and advice. Perhaps the most promising quote was delivered by team president Crane Kenney, who told fans: “We take our cues from you all.”
If that’s really the case, then Cubs fans should have a big say in the future of Wrigley Field. Kenney polled fans on a few issues Saturday, and by a raising of hands, a vast majority sided with continuing the tradition of flying the “L” flag after losses and adding Friday night home games. The idea of adding a Jumbotron while keeping the hand-operated centerfield scoreboard intact was basically split down the middle.
Perhaps the team could have a non-binding referendum on hot-button issues like “L” flags, Friday night games and Jumbotrons, passing out ballots before games- like All-Star ballots- for a specified period of time. At least we’d have an idea of where Cubs fans stand on the future of Wrigley Field.
Squirrels bite
Carl Rice, the team’s senior director of facility management and information technology, explained why fans with iPhones couldn’t get a signal last summer at Wrigley Field.
“Believe it or not, the answer is squirrels,” said Rice, who explained that three squirrels ate through the wires providing AT&T wireless access. The issue has since been addressed, Rice said. No word if any of the squirrels was the same one that invaded the Cubs dugout last September 11, when manager Lou Piniella ordered Ryan Dempster to “do his job” and chase it out. Dempster chased the squirrel with a towel, and it went into the Reds dugout. Piniella said that day that “thing have been squirrelly a few times” in the 2009 season. Little did he know.
Ernie Banks to be landmarked
Mr. Cub will officially be made a “living landmark” by Landmarks Illinois at a ceremony on March 6th at the Palmer House Hilton, along with Harold Ramis and Lee Flaherty. The honor doesn’t mean Banks will have to seek permission from the city to change his hairstyle or to sell naming rights.
Zambrano has a future in TV
Carlos Zambrano probably won’t need the money after he retires, but he had the personality to become a color analyst on Cubs broadcasts, assuming Bob Brenly will be tired of the job by then. Zambrano spent the offseason in Chicago, and said he will finish his career here. Several reports out of New York last month said the Yankees spoke to the Cubs about Zambrano, who has a no-trade clause he will not waive.
“I’m not from New York,” he said. “I’m from Chicago.” Actually, he’s from Puerto Cabello, Venezuela. Zambrano has said in the past the only two teams he’d play for besides the Cubs were the White Sox or Boston.
“I don’t care about rumors,” he said. “I love Chicago and I will stay here.”
Piniella takes the fifth
Piniella said Marlon Byrd would “hopefully” bat fifth, after saying a couple minutes earlier that Alfonso Soriano “hopefully” would bat fifth.” According to sources, Piniella has been known to change his mind on occasion. Bet seldom does he change it in the span of two minutes.
Where does Byrd prefer to bat?
“In the lineup,” he said. “I’ve hit one all the way through nine. I don’t think I’ll ever hit nine unless I’m struggling and Big Z’s pitching.”
Marmol really is the closer
Carlos Marmol said he doesn’t feel any more pressure heading into the season knowing he’s the closer. Marmol thought he was going to be the closer last year at this time, but lost out to Kevin Gregg in spring. That didn’t work, and Marmol assumed the job in August, going 13-for-13 in save opportunities with the Cubs out of contention.
The Cubs flirted with signing former Pirates closer Matt Capps, but have added no one with closing experience. To be successful, Marmol must cut down on his wild streaks, having issued 65 walks while hitting 12 batters in 74 innings last year. “I’ve got a lot of possibilities,” Marmol said. “If I put pressure on myself, I’m going to be messed up. Just calm down, and whatever happens happens.”
Piniella said Marmol will be his man no matter what happens this spring. “”There won’t be any closer controversy, no closer decisions,” he said.
Mini-Geo looks positively svelte
Piniella told fans Geovany Soto was so small after losing 40 pounds that he looked like a “jockey.” He meant it as a compliment. Will Mini-Geo revert to form and put up the kind of numbers (23 homers, 86 RBI) that made him an integral part of the lineup in 2008? Only Mini-Mr. Bigglesworth knows for sure.
Piniella has management backing
While more Cubs fans groused about Piniella than at past Cubs Conventions, Kenney said the Cubs are satisfied with the job he’s done. Kenney also pointed out they have the second best record among National League teams (behind Philly) in the three years since Piniella was hired.
“We think we have the best manager in baseball,” he said, adding: “We like it when he gets a little hot.”
Chances are good Piniella will return to the Cubs dugout in 2011 if he wants, though Piniella says he won’t decide until after the season.
Read the original article from Tribune News Services.